Here’s Everything You Need to Know about Anzac Day (Australia, 2017)
It will be the 102nd anniversary of the Gallipoli landing and the 101st anniversary of Anzac Day. The words ‘Lest We Forget’ are often spoken this day. For international students in Australia, this will be a valuable opportunity to learn more about Australian history and to enjoy the atmosphere of this day of remembrance.
1. What is Anzac Day?
Anzac Day falls on April 25th every year and marks the anniversary of the landing by Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli (Turkey) in 1915. It has been a public holiday in Australia since 1927. ANZAC is formed from the initial letters of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. It is the first big military action fought by Australians and by New Zealanders, and the first big nationhood demonstration by both countries.
2. Who were the Anzacs?
Image via The Australian
The Anzacs were originally meant to refer to men who were at the landing and fought at Gallipoli, but it later meant any Australian or New Zealand soldier in World War I (WWI). And now Anzacs have been those who lost their lives in all Australian military and peacekeeping operations.
3. What is Anzac Day’s motto?
Its motto is ‘Lest We Forget’. This phrase is uttered after the reading of the Ode of Remembrance, a poem called ‘For the Fallen’ (by Laurence Binyon in 1914). The main, the fourth and middle verse of the poem is quoted at Anzac Day ceremonies and other remembrance ceremonies.
“They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.”
4. What is the Anzac spirit?
The Anzac spirit is what is focused on in the Anzac Day. It was put into words by Sir William Deane, Australia’s Governor-General on ANZAC Day 1999:
“Anzac is not merely about loss. It is about courage, and endurance, and duty, and love of country, and mateship, and good humour and the survival of a sense of self-worth and decency in the face of dreadful odds.”
5. Why is Anzac Day important?
While the Landing at Gallipoli and subsequent battles were a tragedy for Australia, they are also Australians’ source of national pride. Australia lost over 8,000 soldiers that time. But the Anzac forces were greatly admired for their bravery. At the time, Australia had been newly founded for just 14 years. In subsequent years, the fighting at Gallipoli has become symbolic.
6. Numbers and figures
61,516 Australians died due to service during WWI. 8,709 of these deaths happened at Gallipoli.
64.8% of Australians who enlisted were killed, wounded, taken prisoner or went missing.
7. How is Anzac Day celebrated?
Image via Newsweek
The ceremony begins at dawn on April 25th to mark the time of the original Gallipoli landing. The services are held at war memorials around the country, usually including two minutes of silence, the Last Post bugle call, and then marches of veterans and their families.
Dawn Service: This service is one of the most revered and popular ceremonies on Anzac Day. It is thought that the Dawn Service have originated from the military routine — the ‘stand-to’. The service recaptures the quiet moments in the partial light of dusk and dawn, when soldiers have an opportunity to bond and reflect.
The Last Post: The Last Post is the tune played over a bugle to signify the end of the day or the final post. The soldiers could then rest. At memorial services, this melody is considered a metaphor. The honoured soldiers can hear the tune and know all the duties have been completed, so he/ she may finally rest in peace.
Image via The Japan Times
Marches, Memorials, and Exhibits: Marches are hosted in many towns throughout the day. Thousands of people gather along the parade routes to show their thanks and respect.
Red Poppies: Red poppies were the first flowers that bloomed on the bloody battlefields of Northern France and Belgium. These red flowers were told to gain their bright red hue from the fallen’s blood. They are placed on war memorials to symbolize remembrance and perhaps remind that out of sacrifice, new hope emerges.
Anzac Day Football: This is an annual football match between Collingwood and Essendon on Anzac Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Catafalque parties: A catefalque is a structure raised to hold a coffin. As a sign of tribute, four soldiers would stand about a metre away from the catefalque, with their heads lowered and weapons held at reverse.
Anzac Biscuits: This iconic Australia food is also eaten on this day. They were sweet cookies originally made by the wives of ANZACs soldiers during WWI.
Two-up: Anzac Day is the only day of the year when Two-up can be legally played. This is a gambling game popular among Ausstralian troops during WWI. The game involves putting three coins on a piece of wood, tossing them in the air to choose between heads or tails.
To find out where to play Two-up in Sydney, you can check here.
To find out more about the highlights of Anzac Day in Sydney, you can see here.
Have a sweet Anzac Day, everyone!
Originally published at scotsenglish.edu.au.
